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(iii) In terms of vaccines, two of the three patients were fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine and did not show significant differences in clinical symptoms following COVID-19 infection, with all having relatively mild symptoms and similar symptoms of hydrocephalus onset. This reminds clinicians that in the post-epidemic period of SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients may have hydrocephalus-related symptoms or the original hydrocephalus-related symptoms may be aggravated, so clinicians should be highly vigilant. Learning points for clinicians: We report three cases of secondary hydrocephalus after SARS-CoV-2 infection. [Extracted from the article]

The family of pyrabactin resistance 1 (PYR1)/PYR1-like (PYL) regulatory components of ABA receptors (RCAR) play a vital role in the initial step of ABA signaling. To understand the expression mode of PYL genes in response to various abiotic stresses in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), the members of BrPYL gene family were first identified with the relevant bioinformatics software. And then, the relative expressions of identified BrPYLs after heat, cold, drought, and salt treatments for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were determined via real-time quantitative PCR. Here, we identified 24 PYLs in the B. rapa genome. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, these BrPYL genes were divided into three classes and distributed on ten chromosomes in Chinese cabbage. Most of BrPYL genes in the same group have similar gene structures and intron numbers. There were seven genes (BrPYL5, BrPYL8, BrPYL22, BrPYL3, BrPYL18, BrPYL11, and BrPYL21) from Group A with two introns and one gene (BrPYL19) from Group D with one intron. Analysis of conserved motifs suggested that every group contained motif 2 containing the Polyketide_cyc2 domain. Subsequently, the prediction of cis-acting elements indicated that BrPYL genes had 5 stress-related elements and 5 hormone-related elements, among which the number of MYC (dehydration reaction) was the highest, suggesting that BrPYL genes could respond to hormones and abiotic stresses. Expression patterns under four abiotic stresses showed that the expressions of BrPYL4, BrPYL11, BrPYL21, and BrPYL23 responded to these stresses at different time points. To conclude, we identified the BrPYL genes and build the BrPYLs expression mode in response to various abiotic stresses. This study provides a theoretical basis for stress-resistance breeding of Chinese cabbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In this study, we attempted to increase the productivity of Candida glycerinogenes yeast for ethanol production from non‐detoxified sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates (NDSBH) by identifying the hexose transporter in this yeast that makes a high contribution to glucose consumption, and by adding additional copies of this transporter and enhancing its membrane localisation stability (MLS). Methods and Results: Based on the knockout and overexpression of key hexose transporter genes and the characterisation of their promoter properties, we found that Cghxt4 and Cghxt6 play major roles in the early and late stages of fermentation, respectively, with Cghxt4 contributing most to glucose consumption. Next, subcellular localisation analysis revealed that a common mutation of two ubiquitination sites (K9 and K538) in Cghxt4 improved its MLS. Finally, we overexpressed this Cghxt4 mutant (Cghxt4.2A) using a strong promoter, PCgGAP, which resulted in a significant increase in the ethanol productivity of C. glycerinogenes in the NDSBH medium. Specifically, the recombinant strain showed 18 and 25% higher ethanol productivity than the control in two kinds of YP‐NDSBH medium (YP‐NDSBH1G160 and YP‐NDSBH2G160), respectively. Conclusions: The hexose transporter mutant Cghxt4.2A (Cghxt4K9A,K538A) with multiple copies and high MLS was able to significantly increase the ethanol productivity of C. glycerinogenes in NDSBH. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results provide a promising strategy for constructing efficient strains for ethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are a significant factor impacting the quality of life in HIV-1 patients. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), derived from tryptophan (Trp) in a physiological state, is a neuroprotective molecule associated with astrocytes. Previous results suggested KYNA level in the brain of HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mice (Tg mice) fed with Trp is higher than that in the control group, and Tg mice were successfully established for simulating the HAND. In this study, Morris Water Maze (MWM) to determine behavioral changes in mice, evaluating the effect of KYNA on cognitive impairment in Tg mice. The mice were randomly numbered and divided into four groups (n=10): WT, WT+0.1%Trp, Tg mice, and Tg mice+0.1%Trp, fed for one month by grouping. All groups of mice intake water and food freely during this period. The data of the incubation period, crossing times, and the quadrant residence time were recorded by MWM and analyzed with SPSS 22.0. The residence time of the Tg mice+Trp group in the hidden platform quadrant was increased (P<0.05). Additionally, the incubation period of the Tg mice group and Tg mice+Trp group are close, feeding Trp had no significant effect on the incubation period of gp120 group (P>0.05). And it extended the incubation period of WT group without a statistical difference (P>0.05). Ultimately, the platform crossing times of both gp120+Trp group and WT+Trp group without a statistical difference (P>0.05). Those results suggested that MWM assessing learning and cognitive ability is feasible. MWM could evaluate the protective effect of KYNA on cognitive impairment in HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil microbial community diversity of wheat rhizosphere was affected by the amount of nitrogen fertilizer. In addition to bacterial community, ammonia-oxidizing archaea, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria also play important roles in nitrogen cycle. At present, the microecological mechanism of its response to nitrogen application is still unclear. In this study, the rhizosphere soil microorganisms of winter wheat were used as the research object. The changes of soil bacteria, ammonia-oxidizing archaea, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria communities under five nitrogen rates of 0—N(0), 90—N(6), 180—N(12), 240—N(16), 300—N(20) kg N ha–2 were studied by high-throughput sequencing technology. Under N(12) treatment, the Alpha diversity index of bacteria, AOA and nifH nitrogen-fixing bacteria and the Shannon and Simpson indices of nirK denitrifying bacteria were significantly increased. N(12) treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, but no significant difference was found at the nifH and nirK bacterial phyla levels. Under the high nitrogen treatment of N(16) and N(20), the dominant bacteria of nirK-type denitrifying bacteria increased significantly compared with N(12) treatment, there was no significant difference in microbial community distribution between N(20) and the control group. Therefore, the nitrogen addition under N(12) treatment was most conducive to the absorption and utilization of nitrogen fertilizer by soil microorganisms. The effect of nitrogen addition on microbial community was weaker than that of soil properties and wheat yield, and nitrogen addition was significantly correlated with yield, reaching the highest yield at 300 kg ha–2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To construct a novel nomogram by integrating computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and clinical parameters for individualised prediction of haemorrhagic transformation (HT) in intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)-treated acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients.Methods: Anterior circulation AIS patients who underwent IVT at a single centre from January 2018 to June 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The CTP parameters of two regions of interest (ROI), the entire perfusion lesion areas, and the infract core areas, were assessed. HT was documented by follow-up CT 24 ± 2 h after IVT. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by including clinical variables and CTP parameters to identify the independent predictors of HT. A nomogram was developed based on the independent predictors. The discriminative value and calibration of the nomogram were tested by concordance indexes (C-indexes) and calibration plots. Internal validation was performed using fivefold cross-validation.Results: The nomogram was generated using the complete data from 341 patients. Seven variables were included in the final nomogram, including: the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), permeability surface (PS), and relative PS (rPS) in infract core areas, the relative time to maximum (rTmax) and rPS in entire perfusion lesion areas, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and atrial fibrillation (AF). The C-indexes were 0.815 and 0.817 for the nomogram and internal validation. The calibration plots showed excellent agreement.Conclusion: This is the first study establishing a nomogram based on CTP and clinical parameters to predict HT after stroke thrombolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has been shown to influence the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities. However, the functional response of the soil microbial community to urbanization is not well studied. In this study, we used the Biolog Microplates method to characterize microbial catabolic profiles in Eucalyptus plantations of soil samples from urban, suburban and rural sites in Guangzhou, China. The results showed that there were significant differences in the average well-color development (AWCD) of all carbon sources among the three urban–rural plantations microbial communities, and the Simpson functional diversity index showed significant differences. Soil microbial metabolic activity showed a significantly negative correlation with soil variables (pH, total nitrogen, available Cu, available Zn, total Pb, total Cr and total Cd) except bulk density and organic carbon. Additionally, the three urban–rural plantations microbial communities differed significantly in the metabolic utilization of carbohydrates, phenols, amino acids and amines, however there were no significant differences in the carboxylic acids and polymers. Furthermore, the principal component analysis revealed that the microbial communities of three urban–rural plantations had obviously different metabolic functions. These results revealed that urbanization distinctly decreased soil microbial activities and affected soil microbial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): Cancer Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs) are a type of circulating stromal cell found in the blood of cancer patients (pts), described as of myeloid origin that represent the inflammatory state of the tumor microenvironment. We have previously reported that in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), CAML PD-L1 expression is dynamic and trackable throughout chemoradiation (CRT). However, it is unknown if PD-L1 on CAMLs has clinical utility, particularly in immunotherapy (IMT) efficacy after CRT. We studied stage 3 unresectable NSCLC pts treated with (n = 80) or without (n = 55) IMT agents after CRT to evaluate CAML PD-L1 expression on progression free survival (PFS) & overall survival (OS).Materials/methods: We used 2 sets of IMT treated pts: first set from a single arm phase 2 trial treated with CRT and atezolizumab (atezo) (n = 34) and a second from a multi-year prospective study treated with standard of care CRT with consolidation durvalumab (durva) (n = 46). A control group of CRT alone pts (n = 55) were evaluated during the same period (majority before 2018). In all, 135 pts with pathologically confirmed unresectable stage 3 NSCLC were included. 15mL blood samples were taken at Baseline (BL) & ∼1 month after completion of CRT. Blood was filtered & CAMLs quantified for PD-L1 expression using a binary score (0/1 = low & 2/3 = high), to evaluate PFS & OS hazard ratios (HRs) by censored univariate & multivariate analysis at 24 months.Results: CAMLs were found in 92% of all samples, on average 5.2 CAMLs/15mL. From the available tumor biopsies, > 1% PD-L1 expression using DAKO 22c3 did not predict CRT+IMT (atezo/durva) response (PFS HR 1.4 P = 0.642 & OS HR 1.9 P = 0.293). At BL, high CAML PD-L1 was not associated with PFS in CRT alone (HR 1.5 P = 0.435), CRT+atezo (HR 1.0 P = 0.843), or CRT+durva (HR 1.6 P = 0.6180). After CRT, while high CAML PD-L1 did not predict PFS in CRT alone (HR 1.0 P = 0.925), it was associated with superior PFS in CRT+atezo (HR 2.8 P = 0.046), & CRT+durva (HR 5.2 P = 0.036). For OS, high CAML PD-L1 was not predictive of outcomes in CRT alone (HR 0.8 P = 0.929), but strongly predictive of superior OS for CRT+atezo (HR 4.3 P = 0.036) & CRT+durva (HR 5.9 P = 0.033) groups. Combined (atezo or durva, n = 80), 57% of pts had either maintained high PD-L1 before and after CRT (N = 25) or increased from BL (N = 21). Pts with high PD-L1 post CRT had better outcomes than pts with low expression, PFS HR = 4.1 P < 0.001 and OS HR = 4.7 P < 0.001. This pattern was not seen in pts treated with CRT alone (PFS HR = 1.2 P = 0.763 and OS HR = 0.9 P = 0.977).Conclusion: Our data suggests that in unresectable stage 3 NSCLC, high PD-L1 expression on CAMLs after CRT completion is predictive of superior clinical outcomes in pts treated with IMT, but not in those treated with CRT alone. Prospective validation is needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of the high-intensity heavy-ion accelerator facility (HIAF) Yang et al. (2013) [1] at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Science (IMP, CAS), has begun recently in Huizhou, Guangdong province, China. One of the devices of the HIAF is the Spectrometer Ring (SRing). Designed with two magnetic alloy (MA) loaded cavities to decelerate the heavy-ion beams, such as a 238U + 92 beam from 800 to 30 MeV/u, the SRing will serve as a multi-functional experimental storage ring. The MA cavity design works in the frequency range of 1.006-0.503 MHz with a maximum voltage of 50 kV and peak power of 220 kW. This study describes the variable-harmonic RF deceleration cavity design and a performance test of Chinese MA cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]